AN OUTSPOKEN Port councillor claims that police could have reopened the A8 sooner after a fire incident closure created traffic gridlock for several days.

David Wilson says police were over-cautious after the blaze which destroyed meat processing plant AP Jess in March.

The councillor made the remark as he responded to proposals from Port Glasgow West Community Council to widen a single track road at Dougliehill Road as an alternative route for motorists whenever the main road is blocked.

Councillor Wilson is firmly against the idea and argues that it would be a counter-productive measure which would take traffic away from Greenock and Port Glasgow town centres.

He said: “I think police were far too over-cautious at the time of the AP Jess fire and could have opened one of the carriageways much sooner.

“We do have the odd problem on the A8 but in terms of congestion compared to most towns and cities this is minimal.

“Port Glasgow West Community Council’s proposal is a fix for the occasional closure of the A8 but on the other side, the economic effect on Port Glasgow and Greenock town centres would be considerable.”

Mr Wilson says the Dougliehill Road proposal would also detract from the new link road which is to be built off the A8 into Port town centre.

The Conservative councillor, who’s currently standing as the party’s general election candidate in Inverclyde, said: “We don’t want to drive traffic away.”

Police responded to Mr Wilson’s remarks about the road closure – and also welcomed the idea of an alternative route in and out of the district.

Gillian Gardner, divisional road policing inspector, said: “The road was opened as early as possible giving full consideration to the safety of the public and emergency workers who were on scene. 

“The provision of an alternative route would facilitate diversion options in the event that the A8 closed and would ease traffic congestion and disruption so that would be welcome.”